#Tarlos Fanfiction One-shots

One Day at a Time

After Sadie was arrested, the 126 was left reeling from the shock of how close the danger had come to home. Carlos and TK were taken to the hospital, where they had blood drawn and tests run to determine what kind of drug had been used. The doctors moved efficiently, drawing vials of blood and setting up IV drips to help flush the toxins out of their systems.

Carlos sat upright in his hospital bed, glancing over at TK, who was lying in the bed next to him. His chest tightened every time he looked at his fiancé, guilt gnawing at him. TK had fought so hard to stay sober—over a year clean, and now this, completely out of his control.

TK was staring at the ceiling, silent, his jaw clenched, eyes distant as the IV fluids dripped steadily into his veins. He hadn't said much since they arrived at the hospital, but Carlos knew he was processing, his mind racing beneath the calm exterior.

After what felt like an eternity, the doctor finally came in, explaining that the drug was out of their system and there would be no lasting effects. Relief washed over Carlos—physically, they were okay. But he could sense the emotional toll was still hanging heavy in the air.

When they were finally discharged and back at their loft, the weight of the night hit them both. They showered, washing away the remnants of the ordeal, and then retreated to their bedroom, exhaustion taking over. But as soon as they were alone, the silence between them became unbearable.

Carlos watched as TK, who had been quietly holding it together, finally cracked. He sat on the edge of the bed, his hands gripping the sheets as tears welled up in his eyes.

"I can't believe this happened," TK whispered, his voice raw and trembling. "I didn't have a choice, Carlos. I didn't get to say no. My sobriety... it was just taken from me, like it didn't even matter."

Carlos' heart shattered at the sight of TK's pain. He knelt in front of him, placing his hands gently on TK's knees. "Babe... I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry."

TK shook his head, wiping at his eyes, but the tears kept falling. "I was over a year sober, Carlos. One year, two months, and thirteen days. And now I have to start over. Day one, just like that. Because of her. I—I don't even know how to handle this."

His voice cracked on the last word, and the dam finally broke. TK buried his face in his hands, shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Carlos immediately pulled him into his arms, holding him tightly, feeling his own eyes sting with tears. He hated that he couldn't protect TK from this, hated that it happened at all.

"You don't have to do this alone," Carlos whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I know it's not fair, and it's not right, but you're not starting over by yourself. I'm here with you, every step of the way."

TK clung to him, his body trembling as he let the grief and frustration pour out. "I just... I worked so hard to stay clean," TK said through his tears. "And now it feels like all of that work is gone. Like none of it matters anymore."

Carlos gently cupped TK's face, wiping away the tears with his thumbs as he looked into his eyes. "It does matter," he said firmly. "Every single day you stayed clean mattered. This doesn't take away the strength it took to get through those days. This doesn't erase what you've accomplished. It wasn't your choice. You didn't break your sobriety—you were a victim of someone else's actions."

TK let out a shaky breath, his eyes red and puffy from crying, but he listened. "But it still feels like I failed," he whispered. "I didn't want this. I didn't ask for it."

"I know," Carlos murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to TK's forehead. "But you didn't fail. You're one of the strongest people I know, TK. And I am so proud of you for everything you've overcome. This doesn't define you. It doesn't change how far you've come."

TK sniffled, leaning into Carlos' touch, letting the words sink in. "Thank you," he whispered. "For being here. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You don't have to worry about that," Carlos said softly, wrapping his arms around TK again, pulling him close. "I'm not going anywhere. We'll get through this together. You're not alone."

They sat like that for a long time, the quiet of the room settling over them. TK's tears eventually slowed, and the weight of the ordeal seemed a little less heavy with Carlos by his side. As the exhaustion of the night finally caught up with them, they curled up in bed together, Carlos holding TK protectively in his arms.

"I've got you," Carlos whispered into TK's hair as he felt TK's breathing start to even out. "And we'll get through this, one day at a time. You're not starting over alone, baby. I promise."

And in the quiet of their bedroom, despite the pain and heartache of what they'd endured, TK felt the tiniest glimmer of hope. With Carlos beside him, he knew he had the strength to face whatever came next.

Copyright © 2024 by AetherWoven